Edmonton minor hockey bans certain parents from games

February 27, 2017

A number of parents in Edmonton have been forbidden to attend their children’s games by the local hockey association after too many incidents of rink rage. Parents, mostly men, threaten and confront referees and others when their emotional involvement causes them to behave like hoodlums. The Edmonton body sent a scolding email to the organization’s members about what it called “the stereotype of the worst hockey parent.” It said the behaviour puts a black eye on the sport and parents in the spotlight. It also embarrasses young players that their parents are out of control. President Mark Doram said several incidents have been reported in past weeks, including one particularly alarming event “when parents became so emotionally engaged in the game that the referees were afraid for their safety.” Doram said that parents of players from the novice division all the way up to midget have been disciplined. The most recent police incident was at a peewee division game. He said the sport continues to lose officials because they fear for their safety.